Portable electronic key providing transportable personal computing environment

ABSTRACT

A portable personal configuration device contains non-volatile memory and can be used to quickly and efficiently transport a user&#39;s personalized computing environment from one computer to another. The portable personal configuration device preferably is USB-compatible and thus plugs into a USB port in any computing device. In one embodiment, one or more files representing the user&#39;s computing environment are downloaded to the portable device and can then be uploaded to a different computer once connected to such new computer. Alternatively, the portable device can cause the computer&#39;s web browser to access a particular website containing the user&#39;s personalized computing environment which can then be readily downloaded to the computer. In this latter embodiment, the user&#39;s computing environment data is maintained on the web and once the portable device is plugged into a computer, the computer is caused to download the user&#39;s computing environment from the web.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention generally relates to transporting acomputing environment from one computer to another. More particularly,the invention relates to the use of a portable electronic key totransport a computing environment from one computer to another. Stillmore particularly, the invention relates to the use of a USB portabledevice to store computing environment information from one computer viaa USB port and upload the information via a USB port of anothercomputer.

[0005] 2. Background Information

[0006] As is commonly understood, personal computers provide a multitudeof features and functions besides simply applications (word processing,spreadsheets, etc.). Such features and functions include such things asInternet “favorites,” email “contacts,” cookies, digital signatures, thebackground image associated with the desktop, the icons that appear onthe desk, and the like. Such features and functions are colloquiallyreferred to as the “computing environment.”

[0007] A user of a computer also can create and change the computingenvironment for the computer. Each person may prefer to see a certainset of icons on the desktop, a certain background image, have a certainset of contacts, etc. That is, the computing environment one personprefers generally differs from the computing environment of otherpeople.

[0008] The ability for a user to customize the computing environment ishighly desirable and currently possible in computer systems. A problemoccurs, however, if a user obtains a new computer or switches to anexisting computer of another user. Either way, the new computer may, andlikely will, have a computing environment that is different from whatthe user is accustomed to and may not be desirable to the user.Currently, this problem is resolved by the user manually reconfiguringthe computer to his or her desirable environment. This process entailsnumerous time-consuming actions such as changing the background image,changing or creating a new set of icons on the desktop, uploading orentering a new set of contacts and favorites, and the like. Althoughrecreating the user's computing environment can be done manually, it isa time consuming, tiring, and thus inconvenient process. A solution tothis problem is needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The problems noted above are solved in large part by applying acomputer system that includes a portable personal configuration devicewhich can be electrically mated with the computer. The portable personalconfiguration device contains non-volatile memory and can be used toquickly and efficiently transport a user's personalized computingenvironment from one computer to another. The portable personalconfiguration device preferably is USB-compatible and thus plugs into aUSB port in any computing device (e.g., desktop, notebook, etc.).

[0010] In accordance with the one embodiment, one or more filesrepresenting the user's computing environment are downloaded to theportable device and can then be uploaded to a different computer onceconnected to such new computer. Alternatively, the portable device cancause the computer's web browser to access a particular websitecontaining the user's personalized computing environment which can thenbe readily downloaded to the computer. In this embodiment, the user'scomputing environment data is maintained on the web and once theportable device is plugged into a computer, the computer is caused todownload the user's computing environment from the web.

[0011] These and other aspects of the present invention will becomeapparent upon analyzing the drawings, detailed description and claims,which follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings inwhich:

[0013]FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment of the invention comprising acomputer system and a portable electronic key that permits the computingenvironment from one computer to be transported to another computer; and

[0014]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the preferred embodiment depictedin FIG. 1.

NOTATION AND NOMENCLATURE

[0015] Certain terms are used throughout the following description andclaims to refer to particular system components. As one skilled in theart will appreciate, computer companies may refer to a component andsub-components by different names. This document does not intend todistinguish between components that differ in name but not function. Inthe following discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and“comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should beinterpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . ”. Also, theterm “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either a direct orindirect electrical connection. Thus, if a first device couples to asecond device, that connection may be through a direct electricalconnection, or through an indirect electrical connection via otherdevices and connections. In addition, no distinction is made between a“processor,” “microprocessor,” “microcontroller,” or “central processingunit” (“CPU”) for purposes of this disclosure. To the extent that anyterm is not specially defined in this specification, the intent is thatthe term is to be given its plain and ordinary meaning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] Referring now to FIG. 1, computer system 100 constructed inaccordance with the preferred embodiment comprises a processor box 102,a display 120, a keyboard 124, a mouse (or other pointing device) 126and a portable personal configuration device 130. The portable personalconfiguration device 130 mates with the processor box 102 via connectors104 and 132 as shown. The portable personal configuration devicepreferably comprises the connector 132 and a housing 134 which containsnon-volatile memory and other electronics as noted below.

[0017] In general, computing environment information can be stored inthe non-volatile memory in the portable personal configuration device130. The portable personal configuration device can then be taken toanother computer system, connected thereto, and the computingenvironment information can be uploaded into the new computer to causethe new computer to be set up with the user's computing environment. Inthis context, the portable personal configuration device 130 comprises aportable storage device, unlike a floppy disk in that the portablepersonal configuration device preferably includes solid state memory forits storage medium and does not require a “disk drive” to access thedata contained therein.

[0018]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of computer system 100 in accordancewith a preferred embodiment. As shown, system 100 preferably comprises aCPU 104, a memory 106, a graphics processor 108, a host controller 110,and an input/output (“I/O”) controller 118 coupled to a bridge 112. Thekeyboard 124 and mouse 126 couple to the CPU 104 via the I/O controller118 and bridge 112 as shown. The graphics processor 108 couples to anddrives display 120 and comprises any suitable type of graphicsaccelerator device. Similarly, the CPU 104 preferably comprises anysuitable processor device such as a Pentium® processor from Intel® orcomparable device from AMD or other manufacturers. The componentsdepicted in the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2 can be arranged innumerous other ways. Further, different or additional components can beprovided. The computer system 100 of FIG. 2 is simply intended to beindicative of any type of computing device such as a desktop computer,notebook computer, handheld computer, etc.

[0019] The portable personal configuration device 130 communicates withthe computer via any suitable type of communication link. In accordancewith the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the communication linkcomprises a Universal Serial Bus (“USB”). As such, the host controller110 comprises a USB host controller and connectors 104 and 132preferably comprise USB connectors. USB is a communication protocol thatis well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art and thus is notdescribed in detail herein. An advantageous feature of USB is that USBdevices can connect to the system while the system is powered on. Thisfeature is typically referred to as “plug & play.”

[0020] The portable personal configuration device 130 preferablyincludes solid state memory storage such as in the form of “flash”memory and a USB hub interface. The memory capacity of the portablepersonal configuration device 130 can be any capacity sufficient tostored the computing environment information and any executable code orother information desired. Other components may be included as well.Suitable examples of USB-based portable personal configuration devicesinclude the ThumbDrive by Trek and the DiskOnKey by M-Systems modifiedin accordance with known techniques to provide the functionalitydescribed herein. Such devices have 8 megabytes and higher of memorycapacity, although a portable personal configuration device with lessthan 8 megabytes of memory capacity is acceptable as well.

[0021] In general, the CPU 104 coordinates the transfer of data betweenmemory 106 in the computer and the memory in the portable personalconfiguration device 130. In accordance with one embodiment, the datatransferred to the portable personal configuration device includes thecomputer's computing environment information. Such information may bedownloaded to the configuration device 130 in the form of a single file,multiple files or in accordance with other forms, formats, and/or datarepresentations. The computing environment information may include anyone or more, or all, of the following types data:

[0022] Internet favorites

[0023] Internet cookies

[0024] Contacts

[0025] Calendar information

[0026] Digital certificates

[0027] Software keys (to activate application software stored oncomputer)

[0028] Passwords

[0029] Digital Rights Management Tokens (audio, video)

[0030] Desktop background image

[0031] Desktop icons

[0032] Toolbar configuration

[0033] Audio configuration information

[0034] Graphics configuration information

[0035] Game settings

[0036] The above list is not exhaustive of all of the environmentinformation that can be stored on the portable personal configurationdevice. The specific list of computing environment data can be preset orprogrammed by a user of the computer using a utility application whichprovides the user a selectable list of environment data parameters. Theuser can then select or deselect the environment data parameters to beused.

[0037] When the user wishes to download the computing environment fromhis or her currently used computer, the user initiates such process inaccordance with any suitable manner. For example, the user could simplyplug the portable personal configuration device 130 into the computer.The host computer would then recognize the presence of the device 130 inaccordance with conventional USB plug & play techniques. At that point,the computer preferably downloads the computing environment data to thedevice's memory.

[0038] Alternatively, the portable personal configuration device 130 mayinclude a download initiation button 134. Once pressed, the downloadinitiation button 134 causes the portable personal configuration device130 to request the computing environment data from the computer's memory106. Further still, the button 134 can be provided on the computer box102 rather than on the portable personal configuration device 130.

[0039] Regardless of how the download process is initiated, thecomputing environment data is stored in the memory of the portablepersonal configuration device 130. Once stored therein, the user cancarry the portable personal configuration device 130 to anothercomputer, mate the portable personal configuration device with suchother computer and cause the computing environment data to be uploadedinto the new computer. Uploading can be initiated either automaticallyupon insertion of the device 130 into the new computer or by the userpressing an upload button 136 on the device itself.

[0040] At least some operating systems have the capability ofaccommodating multiple users each having a different computingenvironment. An example of such operating systems include, withoutlimitation, Windows XP. Thus, when a portable personal configurationdevice 130 is mated with a computer and begins to upload the user'scomputing environment data, the device 130 preferably creates a usersetting in which to upload the environment data. Alternatively, if theuser setting was previously created on the computer, the device 130copies its environment data file(s) over the previous environment datafile(s) already established for that user on the computer.

[0041] Instead of storing a user's personalized computing environmentdata in the portable personal configuration device 130, in accordancewith another embodiment, the user's computing environment could bestored on the web at a predetermined website. In this embodiment the aportable personal configuration device preferably is programmed with theInternet Protocol (“IP”) address or Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”) ofthe website containing the computing environment file(s). Further, theportable personal configuration device 130 preferably containsautoexecuting code which can cause web browser software in the computerto access the website. Accordingly, when a user plugs the portablepersonal configuration device 130 into a computer, the portable personalconfiguration device provides the IP address or URL of the website tothe computer's web browser. In response, the computer establishescommunication with the website and downloads the user's computingenvironment data.

[0042] Further, the website may store computing environment dataassociated with a plurality of users. A value unique to the user couldbe stored in the portable personal configuration device. The value couldbe the user's name, a unique number, or other identifying parameter.This user-unique value could be provided to the computer's web browserand thus to the website to permit the website to download the computingenvironment associated with the correct user.

[0043] The portable personal configuration device 130 can also beequipped with any well-known fingerprint device to provide extrasecurity. A fingerprint template associated with the user could bepre-programmed into the portable personal configuration device and beused to determine if the operator of the portable personal configurationdevice is authorized. If the operator's fingerprint does not match thepreviously stored fingerprint, the portable personal configurationdevice and/or the computer could be programmed not to upload or downloadany computing environment data.

[0044] The portable personal configuration device 130 described abovethus permits a user to easily and efficiently transport his or herpersonalized computing environment from one computer to another. Theportable personal configuration device also permits other desirablebenefits. For example, the portable personal configuration device can beused as a system restore device in the event the computer systemcrashes. If the system crashes, the user could plug in the portablepersonal configuration device and cause the system to reboot. The systemwould then boot from the portable personal configuration device, similarto the way in which conventional computer systems boot from a floppydisk. The non-volatile memory in the portable personal configurationdevice, however, has a much higher capacity than a floppy disk and thuscan store much more system information such as complete system registry,safe mode restore, system configuration and boot files, complete systemrestore, hardware device configuration, system hardware and softwarecomponent list, restore files, key drivers, personal settings, etc. Thisprovides a system recovery option that can restore the system either toa full restore state with everything working properly or at least to astate with most of the system functioning properly, unlike the systemrecovery permitted by booting from a floppy drive.

[0045] Another use of the portable personal configuration device 130 isto accommodate a “dynamic coupon.” When a user purchases the portablepersonal configuration device, the device could be preloaded with acoupon entitling the user to a discount on an Internet-based purchase.Thus, when the user goes to purchase the associated item, the on-linevendor could determine, in accordance with well-known techniques,whether the portable personal configuration device is present andwhether the coupon is still valid. If both conditions are true, the userpreferably is given the discount. Once the discount is given, theon-line vendor service or the user's computer could invalidate thecoupon on the portable personal configuration device preventing it frombeing used again. Invalidating the coupon could include simply erasingthe coupon information or setting a bit in the device indicating whetherthe coupon is valid or invalid. Further still, the online vendor could,at the time of purchase or later, reset the coupon on the portablepersonal configuration device to the same or different discount value.

[0046] Yet another use of the portable personal configuration device 130is to permit the user to play games on the computer. In this embodiment,a game is stored in the portable device's memory thereby permitting theuser to play the game on any computer to which the device is mated.Further still, as is well-known the settings of many games can be savedto a hard disk drive thereby permitting a user to stop playing a gameand later continue playing the game from the point at which the userlast played the game. With the portable personal configuration device,the current game settings can be stored on the device thereby permittingthe user to continue the game from where he or she left off. Further,the device's portability permits the user to continue playing the gamefrom the same point on a different computer. Further still, the gameapplication itself could be stored on the portable personalconfiguration device, on the computer's hard drive or on a web site. Ifthe game is not stored on the portable personal configuration device130, the game settings could be stored on the portable personalconfiguration device. The game further could be autorun from theportable personal configuration device with automatic game settingenabling and saving.

[0047] The portable configuration device 130 may also be equipped withan application starter. An application starter is an executable codethat runs automatically when, for example, a CD is loaded into a CDdrive or, as in the present case, the portable device is connected tothe host computer. The starter causes a predetermined application tobegin running without user involvement, other than connecting theportable device to the computer. Application starters are well known inthe art. As such, a game preloaded on the device 130 could start playingas soon as the device 130 is connected to the computer. Further, asnoted above, the previously saved game settings could be retrievedthereby permitting the user to continue playing the game with minimaleffort. Any type of application stored on the device 130 could be causedto auto run as desired. Examples include, without limitation, games,advertisements, demonstrations, etc.

[0048] The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of theprinciples and various embodiments of the present invention. Numerousvariations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled inthe art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. For example, theportable storage device may have a wireless link to the computer ratherthan a wired connection as depicted in the figures. Further, digitalinterfaces besides USB can be used such as PCMCIA. It is intended thatthe following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations andmodifications.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable personal configuration deviceconnectable to a plurality of computing device, comprising: non-volatilememory; and an interface to a computing device; wherein saidnon-volatile memory contains a user's personalized computing environmentdata.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein said personalized computingenvironment data comprises at least one type of information selectedfrom the group consisting of desktop background image, desktop icons,contacts, calendar information, passwords, digital signatures, Internetfavorites, Internet cookies, and game settings.
 3. The device of claim 1wherein said interface comprises a USB interface.
 4. The device of claim1 wherein said non-volatile memory is readable and writeable andcontains autoexecuting code.
 5. The device of claim 1 further comprisinga fingerprint identification device.
 6. The device of claim 5 whereinsaid non-volatile memory contains a fingerprint template of the user andwherein the personalized computing environment data associated with theuser is only accessible if the fingerprint of the person operating thedevice matches the template.
 7. A portable personal configuration deviceconnectable to a plurality of computing device, comprising: non-volatilememory; and an interface to a computing device; wherein saidnon-volatile memory contains a link to a website containing personalizedcomputing environment data.
 8. The portable personal configurationdevice of claim 7 wherein said portable personal configuration devicecauses said computing environment data to be downloaded to an attachedcomputing device.
 9. The portable personal configuration device of claim8 wherein personalized computing environment data comprises at least onetype of information selected from the group consisting of desktopbackground image, desktop icons, contacts, calendar information,passwords, digital signatures, Internet favorites, Internet cookies, andgame settings.
 10. The device of claim 7 wherein said non-volatilememory also contains a value that uniquely identifies a user, said valuebeing transmitted to the website and the personalized computingenvironment data associated with said user is downloaded to a computerto which the device connects.
 11. The device of claim 10 furthercomprising a fingerprint identification device.
 12. The device of claim11 wherein said non-volatile memory contains a fingerprint template ofthe user and wherein the personalized computing environment dataassociated with the user is only downloaded to the computer if thefingerprint of the person operating the device matches the template. 13.The device of claim 7 further comprising a fingerprint identificationdevice.
 14. The device of claim 13 wherein said non-volatile memorycontains a fingerprint template of the user and wherein the personalizedcomputing environment data associated with the user is only downloadedto the computer if the fingerprint of the person operating the devicematches the template.
 15. A computer system, comprising: a CPU; volatilememory coupled to said CPU; and a portable configuration device coupledto said CPU, said portable configuration device comprising non-volatilememory, wherein said non-volatile memory contains a user's personalizedcomputing environment data.
 16. The computer system of claim 15 whereinsaid personalized computing environment data comprises at least one typeof information selected from the group consisting of desktop backgroundimage, desktop icons, contacts, calendar information, passwords, digitalsignatures, Internet favorites, Internet cookies.
 17. The computersystem of claim 15 wherein said portable configuration device couples tosaid CPU via a USB interface.
 18. The computer system of claim 15wherein said non-volatile memory is readable and writeable and containsautoexecuting code.
 19. The computer system of claim 15 furthercomprising a fingerprint identification device.
 20. The computer systemof claim 19 wherein said non-volatile memory contains a fingerprinttemplate of the user and wherein the personalized computing environmentdata associated with the user is only accessible if the fingerprint ofthe person operating the device matches the template.
 21. A computersystem, comprising: a CPU; volatile memory coupled to said CPU; andportable configuration device coupled to said CPU, said portableconfiguration device comprising non-volatile memory, wherein saidnon-volatile memory contains a link to a website containing personalizedcomputing environment data.
 22. The computer system of claim 21 whereinsaid non-volatile memory also contains a value that uniquely identifiesa user, said value being transmitted to the website and the personalizedcomputing environment data associated with said user is downloaded to acomputer to which the device connects.
 23. The computer system of claim22 further comprising a fingerprint identification device.
 24. Thecomputer system of claim 23 wherein said non-volatile memory contains afingerprint template of the user and wherein the personalized computingenvironment data associated with the user is only downloaded to thecomputer if the fingerprint of the person operating the device matchesthe template.
 25. The computer system of claim 21 further comprising afingerprint identification device.
 26. The computer system of claim 25wherein said non-volatile memory contains a fingerprint template of theuser and wherein the personalized computing environment data associatedwith the user is only downloaded to the computer if the fingerprint ofthe person operating the device matches the template.
 27. A method oftransporting a user's computing environment from one computer to anothercomputer, comprising: (a) copying, from one computer, computingenvironment data to non-volatile, solid state memory contained in aportable device; (b) decoupling the portable device from the computer in(a); (c) coupling the portable device to another computer; and (d)copying the computing environment data from the portable device's solidstate memory to the computer in (c).
 28. The method of claim 27 whereinsaid portable device couples to the computers in (a) and (c) via a USBinterface.
 29. The method of claim 27 wherein said computing environmentdata comprises at least one type of information selected from the groupconsisting of desktop background image, desktop icons, contacts,calendar information, passwords, digital signatures, Internet favorites,Internet cookies.
 30. A method of transporting a user's computingenvironment from one computer to another computer, comprising: (a)coupling a portable electronic device to a computer; (b) accessing awebsite using website location information stored in said portableelectronic device; and (c) copying computing environment data from thewebsite to the computer.
 31. The method of claim 30 wherein saidportable device couples to the computers in (a) and (c) via a USBinterface.
 32. The method of claim 30 wherein said computing environmentdata comprises at least one type of information selected from the groupconsisting of desktop background image, desktop icons, contacts,calendar information, passwords, digital signatures, Internet favorites,Internet cookies.
 33. A computer system, comprising: a CPU; a displaycoupled to said CPU; an input control device coupled to said CPU; and aportable storage device coupled to said CPU, said portable storagedevice containing solid state memory in which configuration datapertaining to a user of said computer system is stored, and saidportable storage device capable of being coupled to a CPU of a differentcomputer system to install the configuration data in said differentcomputer system.
 34. The computer system of claim 33 wherein saidportable storage device includes a USB interface to computer system. 35.The computer system of claim 34 wherein said portable storage deviceincludes a download button that, when activated, causes the CPU todownload said configuration data to said solid state memory.
 36. Thecomputer system of claim 34 wherein said portable storage deviceincludes an upload button that, when activated, causes the solid statememory to upload said configuration data to said CPU of the computer towhich the portable storage device is coupled.
 37. The computer system ofclaim 34 wherein said configuration data comprises game settings.
 38. Aportable personal configuration device connectable to a plurality ofcomputing devices, comprising: non-volatile memory; and an interface toa computing device; wherein said non-volatile memory contains a digitalcoupon which provides a discount to a user of said portable personalconfiguration when making an on-line purchase.
 39. The portable personalconfiguration device of claim 38 wherein said digital coupon can bedynamically replenished.